The Topline
- The U.S.-Israel war with Iran has led to oil prices spiking globally.
- Canadians are feeling the impact at the gas pumps, with economists predicting the high fuel prices won’t be good news for the inflation rate.
- In 2025, registrations of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in Canada plummeted compared to the year prior.
- With high gas prices, plus a recently announced federal government rebate on EVs, consumers are once again weighing the pros and cons between EVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
Switch sides,
back and forth
Cheap gas is over
When Prime Minister Mark Carney eliminated the consumer carbon price last year, Canadians across the country enjoyed lower prices at the pump.
I hate to tell you, but those days are history. There is no end in sight to the current Middle East conflict or Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route through which roughly 20 per cent of the world’s oil normally flows.
As one might expect, fuel prices around the world have skyrocketed. As of March 17, a litre of regular fuel is over $2 in Vancouver , over $2.50 in the U.K. , and more than $5 in Hong Kong .
That’s just the first of many reasons why EVs are the better choice. You get the quiet satisfaction of driving past gas station after gas station, knowing you’ll never pay at the pump again.
Speaking of quiet, EVs glide along without any of the noise and vibration that comes with an internal combustion engine. It’s simply a more pleasurable motoring experience for both driver and passengers alike.
Critics of EVs will point out the initial purchase price is a major barrier. That’s why Ottawa recently relaxed its tariffs on China, bringing in lower-priced makes and models. While we wait for those cheaper models to arrive, Ottawa reintroduced a federal purchase rebate of up to $5,000 for EVs priced at $50,000 or less.
That said, when gas prices spike (like right now), the faster you’ll recoup the extra upfront cost, depending on how much you drive. Do the math with an EV savings calculator, like this one from the Canadian Automobile Association.
Besides fuel, you’ll also save money on maintenance. A 2023 report from Consumer Reports found that EV owners pay about half as much for maintenance and repairs compared to gas-powered vehicle owners.
Other countries have seen the light and EV sales are booming. The Guardian reports that last year, almost every new car sold in Norway was fully electric. Norway happens to be a country with very cold winters and large amounts of oil reserves. Sound familiar?
Sam Hersh, a program manager with Environmental Defence, told the Electric Vehicle Society podcast that Ontario, Quebec, B.C., Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador all produce “super clean electricity,” and the emissions produced from fueling an EV amount to roughly one ton of carbon over its lifetime — compared to 70 tons from fueling a car with gasoline.
Hersh adds that transitioning to electric vehicles is a vital step for the environment, as they drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 per cent compared to gasoline cars and become even cleaner over time as power grids continue to embrace renewable energy.
The situation in the Middle East proves we’re at the point where this stops being a debate and starts being a timing decision. The economics are shifting, the technology keeps improving, and the rest of the world is already moving.
The only real question left is how long you want to keep paying for gas before you don’t have to anymore.
Saving money isn't guaranteed
While the feds are calling EVs the future of Canadian vehicles , gas-powered cars still make more sense for many drivers.
Buying a vehicle is most people’s second-biggest purchase in their life. So if you’re shopping for a new car, it’s hard to ignore that gasoline-powered vehicles are still cheaper to buy, on average.
EVs cost less to maintain and electricity is way cheaper than gasoline, but those savings don’t always offset the higher upfront price.
Take a 2025 Toyota Corolla. CAA’s driving costs calculator estimates the annual cost of driving one in Ontario is $4,183.69 per year, which is roughly $1,400 less than a 2025 Nissan Leaf.
When repairs inevitably come up, gas vehicles also benefit from a mature, competitive repair market. With EVs, you might be stuck with the dealership for costly repairs over the long term.
And finally, insurance is something nobody likes to buy, but we all have to, and data shows that insurance premiums for gas-powered vehicles are generally lower than their EV counterparts.
But even if you’re not saving money, you’re saving time. Whether filling a tank or pumping just enough for a few errands, gassing up takes just a few minutes.
By contrast, a meaningful charge at an EV charging station will require a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes — and if you happen to be without access to at-home charging, that’s a huge inconvenience.
We live in Canada, where the winters are cold, and that impacts battery performance. Throwing the heat on every time you go out will lower your EV’s range, but you’ll get peace of mind from more consistent mileage year-round from your gas-powered vehicle.
And if you’re the road-tripping or adventurous type, gas stations are widespread and generally easy to find anywhere you go — be it cities, small towns or along highways.
If you’re going camping or frequenting destinations in the middle of nowhere, you could be out of luck with an EV. They don’t make jerry cans for electricity.
Battery technology is still relatively new to vehicles and, although it’s continually evolving and improving, it may not be time to dive in quite yet.
Notable incidents from legacy manufacturers like Hyundai and Tesla show fires are a risk, and they’re not the type of fires that can be put out easily. Last year, BC Ferries placed strict rules on EVs transported on their car decks for this very reason.
This doesn’t mean your gas-powered vehicle is immune to fires either. They’re just easier to deal with when they happen and less random — usually related to accidents, maintenance or poor replacement parts fitment.
For now, the average driver prioritizes convenience, flexibility and affordability. On those metrics, the benefits of gas-powered vehicles are still hard to overlook.
